Game apparatus.



H. W.'FALKER.

GAME APPARATUS.

APPLIOATION FILED JUNE 24, 1913.

1,091,739; Patented Mar. 31, 1914. I

2 SHEETS-SHEET l.

H. w. FALKER. GAME APPARATUS. APPLICATION FILED JUNE 24, 1913. 1,091,739. Patented Mar. 31, 1914,

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

/E a 15 a2 j 6 WITNESSES: [MENTOR I Hen 14mm lien,

HENRY WILLIAM EAL-KER, or ASHLANI), PENNSYLVANiA.

GAME APPARATUS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Mar. 31, 1914..

Application filed June 24, 1913. Serial No. 775,457.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, HENRY W. FALKER, a citizen of the United States, residing at Ashland, in the county of Schuylkill and State of Pennsylvania, have invented cer' tain new and useful Improvements in Game Apparatus, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to improvements in game apparatus, the object of the invention being to provide an improved game apparatus which employs improved means for eject ing a ball or marble and catching the same in such a manner as to record numbers or points.

A further object is to provide improvements of this character which constitute a toy, which is ornamental and attractive in appearance, comparatively cheap to manufacture, and which may be readily operated by any one of average intelligence.

With these and other objects in view, the invention consists in certain novel features of construction and combinations and arrangements of parts as will be more fully hereinafter described and pointed out in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings: Figure 1 is a view in side elevation illustrating my improvements. Fig. 2 is a top plan view. Fig. 3 is a view in section on the line 3-3 of Fig. 2. Fig. l is a view in section on the line 1-4 of Fig. 3.

1 represents a circular casing in the upper portion of which a circular disk 2 is secured and is preferably of wood, although it may be of any other material. Disk 2 is spaced above the bottom 3 of casing 1 and in the casing 1 between the bottom 3 and the disk 2, partition walls 4 and 5 are provided, dividing the casing into three circular chambers 6, 7, and 8 respectively, each chamber having an outlet chute 9 formed in an extension 10 at one portion of the casing for a purpose which will hereinafter appear.

A barrel 11 is located centrally in the casing and extends through block2 and through the bottom 3 and operates as a barrel to re ceive a ball or marble 12. This part 12 I shall hereinafter refer to as a ball although it may constitute any relatively small spherical device. The bottom of barrel 11 is normally closed by an ejector lever 13 which is pivoted near one end on a pin 14:, the latter secured in blocks 15 spaced apart to accommodate the operative parts of the ejecting mechanism as will be hereinafter described. These blocks 15 are shaped at one end to form a revolver handle 16 and in front of the bandle 16, the blocks are shaped to form a trigger guard 17 A flat spring 18 bears against a lug 19 on the shorter end of lever 13, and tends always to hold the longer end of this lever against the lower end of barrel 11.

A trigger 20 of general bell-crank-shape is pivotally supported at its angle on a pin 21, and at one end is pivotally connected by a pin 22 with a catch 23. This catch 23 is provided on its forward edge with a shoulder 24 against which the shorter end of arm 13 is normally positioned.

A shoulder 25 is provided on the rear face of catch 23 and is engaged by a flat spring 26 normally holding the trigger in its forward position. The catch 23 is provided at its upper end with a beveled face 27 which engages a fixed pin 28 secured to blocks 15 so that when this catch 23 is moved upwardly, it will be compelled to pivot rearwardly to release lever 13 from shoulder 2 1. This disk 2 above the several chambers 6, 7, and 8, is provided with openings 29 in which upwardly projecting tubes 30 are secured and are provided with flared upper ends 31.

It will be noted that the tubes 30 communicating with inner chamber 8 are smallest in diameter and tubes 30 communicating with outer chamber 6 are largest in diameter while the tubes 30 communicating with chamber 7 are of a diameter larger than the first-mentioned tubes, and smaller than the last-mentioned tubes. This relative size of tube is provided to lessen the possibility of the ball 12 falling in the tubes 30 of chamher 8 and increasing the possibility of the ball falling into the other chambers.

An upwardly and outwardly projecting annular wall 32 is secured to the upper edge of easing 1, and is provided at its inner edge with a curved flange 33, so that if the ball falls upon the wall 32, it will run down the same against flange 33, and is prevented from falling onto the disk 2, except through a single opening 34. The opening 34 communicates with a grooved runway 35. This runway is in the form of a five-pointed star connected by a series of short radial runways 36 with barrel 11, so that by changing the angle of the device, the ball falling on any part thereof may be guided through the runways into the barrel 11 without bringing the hand in contact with the ball. This requires some skill and adds to the amusing qualities of the device.

The outlet chutes 9 preferably contain numerals as for example, the chute of chamber 8 is numbered 50 the chute of chamber 7 is numbered 25 and the chute of chamber 6 is numbered 10 The operator grasps the handle 16 and pulls the trigger 20 when the ball 12 is in the position shown in Fig. 3. The rearward movement of'the trigger 20 causes the upward movement of catch 23 and pin 28 compels this catch to pivot rear-wardly and release lever 13, after spring 18 has been put under tension. In other words, this movement of the trigger moves the lever to'the position shown in dotted lines in Fig. 3, and in so doing places the spring 18 under tension, so that when the lever is released, spring 18 will force the lever back to its position shown in full lines, and the ball 12 will be ejected from barrel 11. The operator then endeavors to catch the ball in one of the tubes 30 and preferably in the tubes above chamber 8, as this counts the most in the ame. When the ball falls through one of t e tubes, it will find its way into the extension 10, and can be readily removed and used again. If the ball falls anywhere else on the game apparatus, it can be readily directed into the barrel as above explained.

The apparatus lends itself to a wide range of usefulness, and a great variety of rules may be evolved for playing the game.

Various slight changes might be made in the general form and arrangement of parts described without departing from my invention, and hence I do not limit myself to the precise details set forth, but consider myself at liberty to make such changes and alterations as fairly fall within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A game apparatus comprising a casing divided into a plurality of chambers, each chamber having an outlet chute projecting beyond the wall of the chamber, and each chamber having ball receiving openings in its top through which a ball is movable into the chambers and thence into the chute, substantially as described.

2. A game apparatus comprising a casing divided into a plurality of chambers, each chamber having an outlet chute projecting beyond the wall of the chamber, and each chamber having ball receiving openings in its top through which a ball is movable into the chambers and thence into the chute, and a ball ejector located centrally in the casing and adapted to eject a ball in an upward direction, substantially as described.

3. A device of the character described,

- comprising acasing, a disk secured in the centrally in the casing, and means for ejecting a ball upwardly through said barrel, substantially as described.

4. A device of the character described,

comprising a casing, a disk secured in the casing, said casing having partitions therein dividing the same into a plurality of chambers below the disk, each chamber having an outlet chute projecting beyond the side of the casing, said disk having openings therein, above each of the chambers and adapted to-permit a ball to pass therethrough into the chambers, upwardly projecting tubes secured in said openings and having flared upper ends, a handle on said casing, a barrel centrally in the casing, a spring-pressed lever normally bearing against the lower end of the barrel, and op erating as an ejector to force a ball upwardly through the barrel, and a trigger controlling the operation of the lever, substantially as described.

5. A device of the character described, comprising a casing, a disk secured in the casing, said casing having partitions therein dividing the same into a plurality of chambers below the disk, each chamber having an outlet chute projecting beyond the side of the casing, said disk having openings therein above each of the chambers and adapted to permit a ball to pass therethrough into the chambers, upwardly projecting tubes secured in said openings and having flared upper ends, a handle on said casing, a barrel centrally'in the casing, a spring-pressed 11o lever normally bearing against the lower end of the barrel, and operating as an ejector to force a ball upwardly through the barrel, a pivoted spring-pressed catch engaging the lever, and a trigger adapted to move the catch and operate the lever, substan tially as described.

6. A device of the character described, comprising a casing, a disk secured in the casing, said casing having partitions therein dividing the same into a plurality of chambers below the disk, said disk having openings therein, upwardly projecting tubes secured in said openings and having flared upper ends, a handle on said casing, a bar rel centrally in the casing, means for ejecting a ball upwardly through said barrel, and an extension on one side of the casing comprising a plurality of outlet chutes com municating with the respective chambers in and into which a ball is adapted to move, substantially as described.

7. A device of the character described, comprising a casing, a disk secured in the casing, said casing having partitions therein dividing the same into a plurality of chambers below the disk, said disk having openings therein, upwardly projecting tubes secured in said openings and having flared upper ends, a handle on said casing, a barrel centrally in the casing, a spring-pressed lever normally bearing against the lower end of the barrel, and operating as an ejector to force a ball upwardly through the barrel, a trigger controlling the operation of the lever, and an extension on one side of the casing comprising a plurality of outlet chutes communicating with the respective chambers in the casing, and into which the ball is adapted to move, substantially as described,

8. A device of the character described, comprising a casing, a disk secured in the casing, said casing having partitions therein dividing the same into a plurality of chambers below the disk, said disk having openings therein, upwardly projecting tubes secured in said openings and having flared upper ends, a handle on said casing, abarrel centrally in the casing, a spring-pressed lever normally bearing against the lower end of the barrel, and operating as an ejector to force a ball upwardly through the barrel, a pivoted spring-pressed catch engaging the lever, a trigger adapted to move the catch and operate the lever, and an extension on one side of the casing comprising a plurality of outlet chutes communicating with the respective chambers in the casing, and into which the ball is adapted to move, substantially as described.

9. A game apparatus comprising a casing, means in the center of the casing for ejecting a device, said casing having a plurality of openings to receive in any of them the said device, an upwardly and outwardly projecting annular wall around the upper edge of the casing, and a flange at the upper end of the caslng inside of the wall forming a stop for the ball, substantially as described.

10. A game apparatus comprising a casing, means in the center of the casing for ejecting a device, said casing having a plurality of openings to receive in any of them the said device, said openings of various sizes, and upwardly projecting tubes secured in said openings and having flared upper ends, an upwardly and outwardly projecting annular wall around the upper edge of the casing, and a flange at the upper end of the casing inside of the wall forming a stop for the ball, substantially as described.

11. A device of the character described, comprising a casing, a disk secured in the casing, said casing having partitions therethe casing,

in dividing the same into a plurality of chambers below the disk, said disk having openings therein, upwardly projecting tubes secured in said openings and having flared upper ends, a handle on said casing, a barrel centrally in the casing, means for ejecting a ball upwardly through said barrel, an upwardly and outwardly projecting annular wall around the upper edge 0 the casing, and a flange at the upper end of the casing inside of the wall forming a stop for the ball, substantially as described.

12. A device of the character described, comprising a casing, a disk secured in the casing, said casing having partitions therein dividing the same into a plurality of chambers below the disk, said disk having openings therein, upwardly projecting tubes secured in said openingsand having flared upper ends, a handle on said casing, a barrel centrally in the casing, a spring-pressed lever normally bearing against the lower end of the barrel, and operating as an ejector to force a ball upwardly through the barrel, a trigger controlling the operation of the lever, an upwardly and outwardly projecting annular wall around the upper edge of the casing, and a flange at the upper end of the casing inside of the wall forming a stop for the ball, substantially as described.

13. A device of the character described, comprising a casing, a disk secured in the casing, said casing having partitions therein dividing the same into a plurality of chambers below the disk, said disk having openings therein, upwardly projecting tubes secured in said openings and having flared upper ends, a handle on said casing, a barrel centrally in the casing, a spring-pressed lever normally bearing against the lower end of the barrel, and operating as an ejector to force a ball upwardly through the barrel, a pivoted spring-pressed catch engaging the lever, a trigger adapted to move the catch and operate the lever, an upwardly and outwardly projecting annular wall around the upper edge of the casing, and a flange at the upper end of the casing inside of the wall forming a stop for the ball, substantially as described.

14. A device of the character described, comprising a casing, a disk secured in the casing, said casing having partitions therein dividing the same into a plurality of chambers below the disk, said disk having openings therein, upwardly projecting tubes secured in said openings and having flared upper ends, a handle on said casing, a barrel centrally in the casing, means for ejecting a ball upwardly through said barrel, an extension on one side of the casing comprising a plurality of outlet chutes communicating with the respective chambers in the casing, and into which a ball is adapted to move, an upwardly and outwardly projecting annular Wall around the upper edge of the casing, and a flange at the upper end of the casing inside of the wall forming a stop for the ball, substantially as described.

'15. A device of the character described, comprising a casing, a disk secured in the casing, said casing having partitions therein dividing the same into a plurality of chambers below the disk, said disk having openings therein, upwardly projecting tubes secured in said openings and having flared upper ends, a handle on said casing, a barrel centrally in the casing, a springpressed lever normally bearing againstthe lower end of the barrel, and operating as an ejector to force a ball upwardly through the barrel, a trigger controlling the operation of the lever, an extension on one side of the casing comprising a plurality of outlet chutes communicating with the respective chambers in the casing, and into which the ball is adapted to move, an upwardly and outwardly projecting annular Wall around the upper edge of the casing, and a flange at the upper end of the casing inside of the wall forming a stop for the ball, substantially as described.

16. A device of the character described, comprising a casing, a disk secured in the casing, said casing having partitions therein dividing the same into a plurality of chambers below the disk, said disk having openings therein, upwardly projecting tubes secured in said openings and having flared upper ends, a handle on said casing, a barrel centrally in the casing, a springpressed lever normally bearing against the lower end of the barrel, and operating as an ejector to force a ball upwardly through the barrel, a pivoted spring-pressed catch engaging the lever, a trigger adapted to move the catch and operate the lever, an extension on one side of the casing comprising a plurality of outlet chutes communicating with the respective chambers in the casing, and into which the ball is adapted to move, an upwardly and outwardly projecting an nular wall around the upper edge of the casing, and a flange at the upper end of the casing inside of the wall forming a stop for the ball, substantially as described.

17. A device of the character described, comprising a casing, a disk secured in the casing and having a plurality of openings therein, a barrel centrally in the casing, means for ejecting a ball from said barrel, and a curved runway on said disk adapted to direct the ball back into the barrel when the ball falls on the disk, substantially as described.

18. A device of the character described, comprising a casing, a disk secured in the casing and having a plurality of openings therein, a barrel centrally in the casing, means for ejecting a ball from said barrel, a curved runway on said disk adapted to direct the ball back into the barrel when the ball falls on the disk, an upwardly and outwardly projecting annular wall around the upper edge of the casing, and a flange'at the upper end of the casing inside of the Wall, said flange having an, openingcominunicating with said runway, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I have signed my' name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

HENRY WILLIAM FALKER;

\Vitnesses JOHN \VITTIG, Jr., ALFRED LOVELL.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patentl,

. Washington, D. 0. 

